The History of Mount Zion - 1915 to 1957

July 15, 1915

Two acres of land kitty corner from the church, purchased by the Ladies Aid Society (now the UM Women) in 1912, became incorporated as the Mount Zion Cemetery, Inc.

August 1918

Mt. Zion UMC - 1918.

Cornerstone was laid for a new two story masonry church building at the same corner as the preceding building. The Sanctuary was on the top level with space on the lower level for Sunday School. The church had stained glass windows, one given in honor of Rev. J. R. Andrew, considered by some as the "Father of Mount Zion." The total cost of this building was $14,134.29.

Fall 1931

The church was wired for electric lights.

1933

The membership of Mt. Zion was 105 with an average of 60 attending worship services. Sunday School enrollment was 84 with an average of 56 attending. The Epworth Youth League (now UM Youth Fellowship) had a membership of 54 with an average attendance of 38. Ministerial support was $ 555 per year.

May 10, 1939

Three Methodist denominations merge or reunite. The MEC, MECS, and the Methodist Protestant Church(MPC) became the denomination known as the Methodist Church(MC).

Rev. John Wilson
1948

1939

Howard Circuit is reconstituted to include Emmanuel, Mount Zion, Linden, and Providence churches.

1948

The Rev. John Wilson, with the use of seminary students, began having weekly worship services at each church on the Howard Circuit, instead of alternate Sundays.

May 7, 1950

Rededication Service was held celebrating the renovation of the church with an expansion to the lower level of restrooms and additional classrooms, along with a new heating system.

December 1952

2.2 acres adjoining the current church property was donated by Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Oyster.

May 1953

Mount Zion Board of Trustees took over responsibility for the maintenance of the Mount Zion Cemetery.

May 12, 1957

Mt. Zion's New Education Building - 1957

Consecration of a new, brick education building to the north of the church, built for a cost of $ 48,175. This part of the present building is currently the Fellowship Hall. Later that day a ground-breaking ceremony was held for a new parsonage on Scaggsville Road (Rt. 216), to be jointly maintained by Mt. Zion and Emmanuel. The parsonage cost about $ 15,000 to build.

June 1957

The Howard Charge was divided and Mount Zion and Emmanuel were yoked together as the Mt. Zion-Emmanuel Charge. The membership of Mount Zion was now 176.

(Timeline prepared by Thomas N. Connar, September, 2004)

Women's Sunday School Class
Mother's Day - 1928

Mt.Zion Choir
1954

Mt. Zion's History - | 1862 to 1899 | 1915 to 1957 | 1960 to 2000 | 2001 to 2006 | 2007 to Present

Untitled Document

Over 140 Years of History

For over 140 years, the people of Mount Zion have done God's work in this section of Maryland's beautiful countryside. Please enjoy this tribute to their lives and times.